In retirement period, many retirees undergo a feeling of being wasted (they have so much of expertise and nowhere to use it), useless, have nothing to look forward to, no goals to accomplish and sometimes even no hope in their lives. John, Krishna, Mala, Neha and Danny have similar complaints, “I seem to make no difference by being alive to anybody – those far away or near me. It feels a futile life and quite meaningless to live this way.”
I suggest two unique tools to start feeling relevant once again: begin with yourself and second- look out for opportunity to extend it.
The only thing this 72 years old widow, Mrs. Tara Sharma knew and was passionate about was knitting. She was very good, neat & fast at knitting, created new designs and made a variety of knitted products. For almost three years after falling ill, she had given up knitting & was getting bored, irritable & withdrawing from life itself.
With some encouragement from her daughter Sanvi & daughter-in-law Priti, the knitting needles and the balls of colorful wool re-entered her life once again. She started happily knitting. She got a new sprite in her day and happily looked forward to her time with the needles. Six months down the line she had knitted for her family, neighbors and her friends.
Soon, word about her skilled work spread. Orders for sweaters, caps, socks, ponchos, baby sets started pouring in. She happily took the orders but was pressed for time to deliver the same. At this juncture Tara realized that she needed more hands with the knitting needles. The maids working at home, got some women from her locality to help her out. She trained them, and soon this business flourished. These women took the orders home & knitted in their spare time. Orders were now delivered on time without any pressure. The interest for handmade knitted products fetched premium price too!
Today at 82, she has started this NGO for employing women in Hubli and has proudly branched out in Belgaum, Dharwad & Timkur. An entrepreur was born in her sunset years & supported so many to better their life through an opportunity to augment livelihood.
So, in order to feel relevant, to live a meaningful life and to have a goal to look forward to each day the two tools can be acquired. Begin with what you know, pour deep into it – give yourself totally to it. If possible, then extend it to include more people & opportunity to multiply. These two tools can be your ammunition to bring in light & the sound of hope into your life.
